VBC Elders' Weblog

Thu - May 8, 2008

Dedication

This Sunday we do our annual "Parent Dedication." It used to be called "Baby Dedication" but that was a misnomer since not all the children were babies and they were not old enough to understand anything about dedication. That the New Testament church did not teach or practice such a occasion is not troubling since it does not forbid it either. However, we must be clear that in light of the silence of the Scripture on the matter, it is purely an optional public commitment. What is not optional is the responsibility of the parents to raise their children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).

Actually, most churches that practice baby dedication do so as a substitute for infant baptism. They hold to the biblical teaching of believer's baptism but wish to minister to parents of infants who come expecting a religious ceremony for their child. The desire to serve such parents is noble but the truth of the Word cannot be compromised. Care must be exercised in upholding the truth in the midst of such events, lest someone conclude that the ceremony itself produces some spiritual benefit for the child.

Most churches that practice infant baptism do so under the belief that in baptism has replaced circumcision in the church age. While similarities exist between baptism and circumcision, there is no such connection between the two in the Scripture. In fact, circumcision as a sign of the covenant to Abraham (Genesis 17:10; Acts 7:8) can be better compared to the Lord's Supper as the sign of the New Covenant (1 Corinthians 11:25).

Posted at 04:28 PM

Thu - May 1, 2008

50th Anniversary - This Friday at 7:00 PM

Our semi-centennial year will be celebrated this Friday evening, May 2 at 7:00 in the auditorium. You won't want to miss the memories, pictures and documents of the first fifty years of Valley Bible Church.

Here is a view of our church from the 1969 pictorial directory to wet your appetite

Posted at 10:36 AM

Wed - April 30, 2008

Awana Ministry

Our Awana Awards Night concluded our Awana year on Sunday. This ministry for children three years old through high school will resume after Labor Day.

In case you missed this year's slide shows, here they are:

Cubbies Slideshow

Sparks Slideshow

T&T Slideshow

Posted at 11:25 AM

Tue - April 29, 2008

Prayer for the persecuted church

Sometimes prayer for those around us is easier than those in great need with whom we have little personal involvement. Jim Kross has been praying for our fellow believers in Christ who are suffering in other places. Here are some requests for you to serve the Lord through prayer for those in difficulty for the cause of Christ. Thanks to Jim for this entry.

A word of encouragement to pray for persecuted Christians around the world. Pray this week specifically for Baptist Pastor Zaur Balaev who was released from prison in Azerbaijan on March 20^th after spending nearly a year in prison for “conducting an illegal religious meeting” in his home village in Aliabad, Azerbaijan. Also pray for Chinese Christians in Xinjiang Autonomous Region who were also arrested while meeting at the home of Mr. Ding Zhichun. 46 members were arrested. Two are still in custody. Those released were mandated to confess their illegal Sunday worship activities and study the government’s handbook on Religious Policy. They were also required to return and recite the policy to officials within one week.

Information collected from Voice of the Martyrs at www.persecution.org

Don’t take for granted the freedom we currently have to meet and worship together. Hebrews 13:3 “Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.” (NAS95)

Serve the Lord well this week!

Posted at 09:36 AM

Tue - April 22, 2008

Youth Group Parent Meetings

This Wednesday and Thursday evening are our Youth Ministry Parent Meetings. Parent should attend either the Wednesday or Thursday meeting. Both meetings will begin at 6:00 pm in room 5-6 (toward the end of the office building) and with last between one hour and an hour and a half.

This meeting is for all parents of current 5th-11th graders to inform you of the upcoming year of our youth ministry.

Posted at 08:46 AM

Wed - April 16, 2008

Father-Son Camp Signups This Week

You can sign up for our Father-Son camp this Sunday after each service. This camp will be July 18-20 at Bass Lake, near Yosemite. The cost is $35 per person ($20 for children who are at least of school age but who are under 15 years old). Space is limited and your money assures your spot.

You won't want to miss this camp as phrases such as "challenging teaching," "inspirational worship," "wonderful fellowship," and "exciting outdoor activities" have been used to describe it.

Posted at 01:50 PM

Tue - April 15, 2008

Student Conference The Weekend

This Friday over eighty people will attend the Planet Wisdom Student Conference in Anaheim in Orange County.

Without a large number of our Junior Highers and High Schoolers the 10:30 service will look quite different this Sunday. Please pray for those going from our church (including the leaders!).

Posted at 01:41 PM

Mon - April 14, 2008

Pursuing Maturity Classes

This Sunday Terry RIley begins a six week class on Growing In The Word: Bible 201 at 9:00 in room 204, which is on the first floor of the two story building.

You do not need to complete Bible 101 to attend.

Posted at 03:55 PM

Fri - April 11, 2008

Grading The New Property

You may have noticed that we have had the empty lot next to our parking lot graded. This is is preparation for planting grass one day. As money becomes available we plan to complete the project. First comes an evaluation of how much grass our well will support.

Even without grass, our new property gets an "A" grade.

Posted at 03:49 PM

Fri - April 4, 2008

Pursuing Maturity Class

The first week of our Walking With God 101 class will be held at 10:30 on Sunday morning in room 104, which is downstairs in our two-story building. This is a four week class conducted by Lance Richards and serves as the beginning of our Pursuing Maturity Training Program.

Gerry Andersen will begin the section of Growing In The Word: Bible 101 of Pursuing Maturity at 9:00 also in room 104.

Posted at 12:44 PM

Thu - April 3, 2008

Japan Ministry Team Arrives tonight

After a one day delay and and another change of plans due to the grounding of many airplanes, our Japan ministry team will final land in Palmdale at 9:00 p.m. tonight.

Flying across the Pacific Ocean is long enough without changing planes twice. Of course, 100 years ago they would have taken a boat. Not to mention the horse for the rest of the trip.

Posted at 03:25 PM

Wed - April 2, 2008

Delayed Return For The Japan Ministry Team

Most of our Japan Ministry Team were to return today (the Baloghs are to return on Sunday). But as missions goes, what was the plan is no longer the plan and there is now a new plan. Due to a flight cancellation with their United Airlines flight from Osaka to San Francisco, they had to scramble to get on another flight. They are now scheduled to fly out tomorrow and will land tomorrow around 4:00 p.m. at LAX via Air Canada.

The Canadians rescue the Americans from Japan.

Posted at 09:18 AM

Mon - March 31, 2008

Father-Son Camp

This summer we will hold a Father-Son Camp, from July 18-20 at Bass Lake near Yosemite.

More information will follow, include when you can sign up, but for now you can mark your calendars.

Posted at 11:05 AM

Fri - March 28, 2008

Pictorial Directory

Pictures continue today and tomorrow at the church office. Tuesday is the last day we are doing pictures for the pictorial directory. Signup in the foyer on Sunday or in the church office during the week in order to be a part of our 50th anniversary yearbook.

If you miss Tuesday you can either provide us with a family picture for the directory or you can arrange to have your picture taken at another time and place with the photographer as they do pictures at other churches.

Posted at 03:19 PM